For two years, President Trump has upended expectations for how America acts in the world, picking fights with allies, shredding international agreements, devaluing human rights, cozying up to President Vladimir Putin of Russia and outsourcing much of our Middle East policy to Saudi Arabia. Now he is about to face a Democratic majority in the House.
While Democrats are rightly focused on health care and pocketbook issues, they should also assert themselves on national security. This is particularly important since Mr. Trump, now less capable of pursuing a domestic agenda, is likely to focus on issues where he has greater freedom. A Democratic House cannot take foreign policy in a wholly different direction, but it can put forward an alternative vision while holding this administration accountable for its increasingly reckless actions abroad.
First, Democrats should send a clear message to the world that we stand by our allies and our democratic values. Congress can make its voice heard in reaffirming our alliance commitments, increasing funding for the State Department, pressing the administration to admit more refugees and providing both tangible and moral support for independent civil society and media around the world. Mr. Trump may not see American values as a part of our strength and influence, but Congress should.
